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Wedding Colors: Pink and Gold

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Get palette inspo and decorating ideas for using the romantic and nostalgic wedding colors in your big day!

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America fell in love with blushing pink and gold during the 1940s and 1950s. The palette, which suggested both the romance and glamour of Hollywood, hinted at a playful femininity and came to represent fine couture, days at the beach and on boardwalks, and lighthearted sophistication. Borrow from the nostalgic palette of exuberant pinks and shimmering golds on the following pages to create a wedding that is elegant without being stuffy. Shell pinks, cherry-blossom tones, misty rose, and cotton-candy pinks are just the beginning. Combine as many pinks as you like (they mix and match with surprising ease), then crown them in glittering golds.

Second row from left to right: Pink script letterpressed on a scalloped card by Pantry Press; the word menu was calligraphed by Nancy Howell; A letterpressed glove with a bow on the finger reminds guests to save the date, and the reception card features a cake; both by Hello!Lucky.

Pink and Gold Wedding Cake

Your cake will be pretty in pink with these lovely layers inspired by the equally lovely camelia flower. The tiers were created by laying a custom stencil by Designer Stencils on the fondant; royal icing was then spread over it. Once dry, the reliefs were rubbed with edible pearl dust tinted with gold-green luster dust to make them glitter. M&S Schmalberg created the flowers used in the bouquet topper.

Back row, from left: Pineapple purée is shaken with ice, pineapple juice, and vodka; the inside of the goblet is sprinkled with caramel dust. Seltzer replaces vodka in the non-alcoholic version, which is garnished with a sugar-edged pineapple slice.

Front row: For those who prefer tart over sweet, pink grapefruit juice, puréed raspberries, and vodka mingle in a sugar-rimmed glass. Pink grapefruit soda brightens the non-alcoholic version, which is topped with frozen grapefruit.

Pink and Gold Ribbons and Accents

Metallic trims add glamorous detail and pair beautifully with pink ribbons in satin, velvet, or organza. Use them as accents for floral arrangements and bouquets, and as adornments on flower-girl headpieces.

Where is it written that a bouquet must be carried? Why not wear it instead? These millinery roses were fashioned in iridescent pinks, peaches, and golds, and are pinned to a lustrous sash—a simple length of wide ribbon. We chose the materials and sent them to M&S Schmalberg, maker of custom flowers, for fabrication. Dress by Carolina Herrera.

Blush and Gold Table Setting

Take gold-rimmed stemware, gold-plated flatware, gold-colored chairs, and a golden runner. Mix and match them with a peach tablecloth and napkins wrapped in metallic lace. Set out vases of peonies, 'Evelyn' Garden roses, sweetpeas, and hibiscus. Fill your guests' glasses with a cool rose. Calligraphy by Deborah Delaney.

The assortment of sweets on this table include pillow mints, Milkies, Sugarbonen, jelly beans, malted milk balls, taffy sticks, macaroons, and more. We adorned simple apothecary jars and the tablecloth with gold thread lace. The sign is propped up with Dresden Foil Flowers. Provide glassine bags so your guests can take home a sampling.

Wedding Cake With Pink and Gold

Three square tiers, draped in pale-pink fondant, are embellished with a sparkling array of trims and ribbons. This is an easy, inexpensive way to turn a plain cake into a gilded confection. Trims of varying widths and designs are combined. The widest ribbon and heaviest cord are reserved for the bottom layer to give the cake a regal finish. The topper is made of three nesting boxes, each edged in gold ribbon, tied up like a parcel from an elegant boutique.

The dazzling cake board is also oh-so-simple. It is made from 1-inch-thick plywood painted pink and trimmed with ribbon. The legs are fashioned out of pink and gold beads, which were threaded onto a nail and hammered in place.